Archives West Finding Aid

Ralph Earle Tieje was born January 24, 1887 in Dayton, Ohio. There he grew up, graduating from high school in 1904. Tieje attended the University of Illinois, graduating in 1910 with an A.B. in Literature and Arts. Tieje also earned an A.M. (1912) and a Ph. D. there. He was an English instructor at Illinois from 1910-12, and then taught English and debate at Oklahoma A and M from 1912-13. Tieje also taught at Washington State College (1913-14), before returning to Illinois. In 1917, Tieje became head of the Languages and Literature Department at the Cheney State Normal School. While there, he served as chairman of student publications, and was the faculty representative on the student council. Tieje was an active Mason, and served as grand master of the Washington State chapter from 1936-37. After the death of President Richard T. Hargreaves on March 6, 1939, Tieje was appointed president of Eastern Washington College of Education. He assumed office on August 15, and was formally inaugurated on November 9, 1939. Tieje resigned in 1945 because of poor health. Later, he taught English at Champlain College (New York State) and the Associated College of Upper New York.